How Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins Met

Where would we be, without the love of a woman?

Travis Tritt asked the question, but it seems Thomas Rhett knows the answer.

Rhett wrote his chart-topping hit, “Die a Happy Man” — a story about a man’s need for nothing more in life than his woman’s “crazy love” — for and about his wife, Lauren (Gregory) Akins. The song became the most-played country tune on the radio for six straight weeks. And now it’s won an Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award for Single Record of the Year.

Getty Images

Rhett’s real-life love is nothing short of inspirational: He and Lauren have known each other since they were first graders in Valdosta, Georgia. They attended church camp together at 13, and briefly dated at 15. Although their first attempt at a relationship didn’t work out, they remained “best friends,” Rhett told Taste of Country.

| #besties | since today is the Lord’s day I thought it would be appropriate to throw back to our church camp glory days #thirteen #valleyview #abercrombie #choker #prebraces #yikes #yourestillthiscutetomehoney #thanktheLordyougottaller #iwasasasquatch

In their late teens, Gregory and Rhett got into serious relationships with other people. “I almost married someone else, and she did too,” said Rhett in a recent interview with CBS This Morning.

But Rhett’s future father-in-law interceded. “Her dad called me and said, ‘If you don’t come over here tonight and tell Lauren how you feel about her, then I’m going to tell her how you feel about her,” Rhett told CBS.

After Gregory ended her former relationship, Rhett “moved in for the kill.”

“We kissed, and that was it. We dated for probably six months, and we got engaged,” he said.

The couple wed in 2012, at age 22. Rhett’s dad, country songwriter Rhett Akins, said the wedding left little doubt that the couple is “beyond in love.”

“When I saw them stare at each other the entire 20 minutes they were saying their vows, it’s like these two people are meant to be together,” Akins told The Boot.

Came across one of my favorites tonight! ❤️❤️ Last minute throwback to the best day with MY best😘 Can’t believe its already time for him to leave again! Wish I was gonna be there😩 So exciting😁👏🎉 Miss you already! Good luck cutie😍😘 Have fun!! Lovveee YOOUUU💛